Levi is dressed in a black tux. He’s never looked more handsome than he does right now. He finally cut his hair short for me. It’s my favorite look. He likes it long on top, and I accept it because I secretly like it too. I just like it short better. He stares at me with the clearest green eyes you’ve ever seen. They are green today. They may be blue tomorrow. Either way, I’m hypnotized. He always pulls me in this way, and I drown.
I feel my dad chuckle a little and kiss me on the cheek before handing my hand to Levi.
“Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to…”
The rest of the ceremony goes by in a daze. I don’t remember a thing. Our photographer better take pictures from every angle.
“And now by the power vested in me, I introduce to you, Mr. & Mrs. Levi James,” the minister says at the end. Nothing in the world could wipe the smiles off our faces. It’s finally here. We are one.
We run down the aisle, just like Levi wanted. Everyone expected him to act like a nut, and he didn’t disappoint. The wedding wouldn’t be right if he didn’t put a little Levi spin on it.
Once everyone is outside and we are taking pictures, I notice that Nova is off to herself, so I make my way over to her. Her back is to me when I reach her, so I squat down behind her.
“Hey Nov. You ok?” She turns around slowly, and I see the tears running down her face. “Sweetie, what’s wrong?”
She sniffles a little before she speaks. “Nothing. I’m just scared.”
“What are you scared of?” This whole wedding planning has been a process for her. She’s been happy, sad, and scared all at the same time. I get it. She’s worried that Levi isn’t going to act the same with her and she may lose him. I would never let that happen, though. I need her to understand that.
“Unc isn’t going to see me as much anymore now that he has you.” I clamp my lips together to keep from smiling at her. It’s exactly what I expected.
“Listen to me. Ok?” She nods. “Your Uncle will always be there for you. He’s isn’t going anywhere. As a matter of fact, you will see him more since we will be living in Conerly with you. You can come over whenever you want. Want to know a secret?”
She slowly smiles and nods her head again. I put one of her blonde curls behind her ear. She is growing up too fast. She looks beautiful in her white dress that is just like mine. My first assignment after Levi proposed was asking her to be my mini bride. I thought she was going to squeeze me to death when she hugged me. She’s seven now and things are starting to make more sense.
“I’ve told Levi that he must take you out on an Uncle-Niece Date once every month. Anything you want to do. I give up a date night for you.”
“Really?” she sniffles and whispers.
“Really. It’s already a deal. Your first date is as soon as we get back from our honeymoon.”
She launches and wraps herself around me. “Thanks, so much Aunt Katie.” I squeeze her hard. That’s the first time she’s called me Aunt. “You’re welcome baby. You always have first dibs.”
“Hey!” Levi says from behind us. “What are my two favorite girls doing over here by themselves? They better not be plotting against me.” Nova and I both giggle. We are always plotting something to either scare him or make him laugh. It’s so fun. We’ve bonded over it.
“Not right now, Unc,” Nova says.
He picks her up and swings her around so her dress fans out behind her. “Stop. You’re gunna mess up my dress.”
“I can’t mess up your dress. You’ve got to take pictures with me.”
“That’s right. So, put me down,” she says with her sass.
Levi shakes his head, and I laugh at them. They are so funny together. She gives as good as she gets from him. If anyone is his boss, it’s Nova Taylor.
“What you laughing at, wife?” He wraps his arm around my waist and pulls me into him. Our lips connect, and fireworks explode.
This man.
He has put me in the fast lane, and I couldn’t be happier.
He pulls back and just looks at me. “I love you, husband.”
His smile lights up my life.
3 years after the wedding
Levi
